The mark on my hand burned, a lingering heat spreading through my veins. It wasn't painful—but it was powerful.
I clenched my fist, staring at the black dragon insignia etched into my skin. This wasn't just a mark.
It was proof.
Proof that the Forgotten Bloodline had acknowledged me.
A Change in the Air
The Draconic Kobold Warden studied me in silence. Its golden eyes flicked between my mark and the egg, its claws twitching slightly.
Then, it spoke.
"You… passed the trial?"
It sounded unbelieving.
I met its gaze. "Yeah. I did."
The Warden's scales bristled. The air in the cavern grew tense—dangerous.
Then—
It knelt.
A Guardian's Oath
Rhia gasped.
The towering draconic kobold, the same creature that radiated overwhelming strength—bowed before me.
I felt my breath catch. What the hell was happening?
The Warden placed a clawed hand over its chest and spoke in a deep, reverent tone.
"You bear the mark of the Ashen Wyrm. From this moment on… you are no longer an intruder."
I could hear the weight of its words.
"You are now the egg's protector."
A Heavy Responsibility
Rhia grabbed my sleeve. "Leon… what does this mean?"
I exhaled slowly. It meant trouble.
If I was recognized as the egg's protector, that meant two things:
The kobolds wouldn't harm us anymore.Anyone trying to take the egg would see me as an enemy.
Including whoever was actually after it.
I turned back to the Warden. "Who else is after this?"
The Warden's expression darkened.
"Those who serve the Dragon Cult."
The Dragon Cult's Shadow
I felt a chill crawl up my spine.
Dragon Cult? That didn't sound good.
"The Cult has long sought to revive the lost bloodline," the Warden continued. "But they do not seek to restore it. They seek to control it."
I glanced at the egg. If the cult got their hands on it—
"Then we don't let them," I said firmly.
The Warden's eyes gleamed. "Spoken like a true heir."
I froze.
"What?"
The Warden simply smiled—a knowing, dangerous smile.
"The mark chooses only those with the potential of a dragon."
My stomach twisted.
What the hell did that mean?
A Dangerous Future
Rhia stepped beside me, her silver hair glowing in the dim light. "Leon… what do we do now?"
I clenched my fist.
We had options—but none were easy.
Leave the egg and walk away. (But could I really abandon it?)Take the egg with us and prepare for a fight. (But the cult would come after us.)Stay with the Warden and learn more. (But time wasn't on our side.)
No matter what I chose, one thing was clear—
This wasn't just a simple adventure anymore.
It was the beginning of a war.